Thursday, January 29, 2009
Blogger through Facebook
I set up a feed for this blog through facebook. I am curious to see if it works. This is just a test...
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Wisdom
The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both riches and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life." 15 Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Contemplating Careful
My journey for 2009 is going to be on tiptoe as I explore my world with a new understanding of what "careful" means. God has allowed me the gift of recognizing that "careful" takes a great amount of time and energy, but is a necessary and very rewarding part of life.
It is not easy for me to think that I may not have been careful in the past. I think mostly because I haven't thought of myself as "careless." I am learning that is isn't about being the opposite of careless, it is about being aware that there is another level of careful that I have not noticed before.
I am excited about the opportunity for personal growth, knowing that God will reward me for my diligent pursuit of His calling. I hope I am able to keep you posted on all the lessons, rewards and even missteps that I will encounter this coming year as I dedicate myself to Contemplating Careful.
It is not easy for me to think that I may not have been careful in the past. I think mostly because I haven't thought of myself as "careless." I am learning that is isn't about being the opposite of careless, it is about being aware that there is another level of careful that I have not noticed before.
I am excited about the opportunity for personal growth, knowing that God will reward me for my diligent pursuit of His calling. I hope I am able to keep you posted on all the lessons, rewards and even missteps that I will encounter this coming year as I dedicate myself to Contemplating Careful.
Saturday, January 03, 2009
What I [need] To Do
Dividing my time between family and business is a challenge that is unlike any challenge I have had before. I love my family and believe that I really do know the treasure that they are, but at the same time, I find that I recharge my energy at work - not at home.
The result is that I [feel] the need to "get away" to The Cocoa Tree when I am with my family and that feeling is a little disturbing to me. I want to be satisfied with the company of my family. I don't want to wish away my time with them, knowing that it will go all to quickly - and already is for that matter.
So, the challenge is mental - reminding myself almost constantly that I want and [need] my time at home in order to be a complete person. Otherwise, I would be wrongly miserable with the assumption that I can only be happy doing the thing that I [want] to do.
I believe the struggle is probably a good thing. It keeps me balanced. If I didn't care, I would end up doing what I wanted all the time which is really not the thing that I need.
So I guess for now I will continue to do what I need to do in order to enjoy the things that I want to do, knowing that even when it doesn't [feel] right, it [is] what is right - for me and for my precious family.
The result is that I [feel] the need to "get away" to The Cocoa Tree when I am with my family and that feeling is a little disturbing to me. I want to be satisfied with the company of my family. I don't want to wish away my time with them, knowing that it will go all to quickly - and already is for that matter.
So, the challenge is mental - reminding myself almost constantly that I want and [need] my time at home in order to be a complete person. Otherwise, I would be wrongly miserable with the assumption that I can only be happy doing the thing that I [want] to do.
I believe the struggle is probably a good thing. It keeps me balanced. If I didn't care, I would end up doing what I wanted all the time which is really not the thing that I need.
So I guess for now I will continue to do what I need to do in order to enjoy the things that I want to do, knowing that even when it doesn't [feel] right, it [is] what is right - for me and for my precious family.
Monday, July 21, 2008
New Website/Blog
I have been working on a new website for the last couple of weeks. It has it's own blog. I think I will keep posting to this one, but for the time being - check out the new site and catch up on that blog. :)
www.bethanychocolatier.com
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
NYC Chocolate Show 2007
I should have posted this a long time ago! This is a photo/video tribute to our success at the Chocolate Show. I hope you can tell how stressful it was and how insanely gratifying it was. :) I couldn't have been more proud, walking down that runway behind my daughter, who stole the whole show! :) God truly blessed me in allowing this opportunity for a mother and her daughter to achieve a "crazy dream" together.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
God Knew - Didn't He
When God chose to let Jesse and I raise Jessie Lyric, Journey, Bridge, Story and baby Manhattan...
He knew what He was doing.
Didn't He?
He knew our strengths, our weaknesses, our talents, our issues, our future...
He knew it all,
And He chose to let Jessie Lyric, Journey, Bridge, Story and baby Manhattan pass through life under our watch.
What a humbling honor.
What a relief.
God knew...
He knew the mistakes we would make,
the sins we would commit,
the courage we would wield,
the lives we would change,
the hearts we would break -
He chose to let Jessie Lyric, Journey, Bridge, Story and baby Manhattan experience life through our triumphs and our mistakes.
They will be stronger, they will be wiser, they will be tested-
Somehow, they will be exactly who God created them to be.
Isn't it a relief?
God's will is done through our strengths and our weaknesses.
God knew...
Didn't He.
He knew what He was doing.
Didn't He?
He knew our strengths, our weaknesses, our talents, our issues, our future...
He knew it all,
And He chose to let Jessie Lyric, Journey, Bridge, Story and baby Manhattan pass through life under our watch.
What a humbling honor.
What a relief.
God knew...
He knew the mistakes we would make,
the sins we would commit,
the courage we would wield,
the lives we would change,
the hearts we would break -
He chose to let Jessie Lyric, Journey, Bridge, Story and baby Manhattan experience life through our triumphs and our mistakes.
They will be stronger, they will be wiser, they will be tested-
Somehow, they will be exactly who God created them to be.
Isn't it a relief?
God's will is done through our strengths and our weaknesses.
God knew...
Didn't He.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Hear My Prayer
(for the Steven Curtis Chapman family - written when my son, Bridge, was a baby. I changed the "hims" to "hers", for their daughter, Maria Chapman, whom they unexpectedly lost this evening in a tragic accident.)
God, will you take my child?
Will you hold her to your breast?
Will you whisper blessings in her ear?
Can you hear my prayer?
God, will you heal my child?
Will you touch her fragile body?
Will you never let her walk alone?
Can you hear my prayer?
There's nothing I can do
I'm helpless and afraid
But I will give her life to you
And pray
God, will you hold my hand?
Will you walk me through this valley?
My great faith seems very small
Can you hear my prayer?
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
What is Worship?
Okay! I will blog something! :) For all of you who just can't seem to live without me. (kidding)
I really AM trying to keep up with the blog. Lately, I have been spending so much time at home with the kids, it seems that everyday is just like the day before. Up at 7:00, breakfast, Jessie and Journey out the door to the bus stop, Bridge says something cute, Story is adorable, lunch, nap time, trip to Sonic, the bus brings the older two home, we talk and eat a snack, I force them to play together (lots of fun!), we eat dinner, watch Spongebob and go to bed.
It is really hard for me to do the same thing over and over. I have been hearing a lot from God on the subject, of course. He regards our work - when done unto Him - as worship. I can find contentment in the fact that the daily routine of tending to my family is considered worship to Him. I think of this when my day gets mundane and the chores seem endless. He is so faithful.
For this season, He has called me to my family. It has been precious. I know I am at the right place. I am thankful that He orders my life. I am so excited to get back to my chocolate, but in the mean time, I am loving the relationships with my family and my creator.
I'll get back to chocolate soon enough. . .
I really AM trying to keep up with the blog. Lately, I have been spending so much time at home with the kids, it seems that everyday is just like the day before. Up at 7:00, breakfast, Jessie and Journey out the door to the bus stop, Bridge says something cute, Story is adorable, lunch, nap time, trip to Sonic, the bus brings the older two home, we talk and eat a snack, I force them to play together (lots of fun!), we eat dinner, watch Spongebob and go to bed.
It is really hard for me to do the same thing over and over. I have been hearing a lot from God on the subject, of course. He regards our work - when done unto Him - as worship. I can find contentment in the fact that the daily routine of tending to my family is considered worship to Him. I think of this when my day gets mundane and the chores seem endless. He is so faithful.
For this season, He has called me to my family. It has been precious. I know I am at the right place. I am thankful that He orders my life. I am so excited to get back to my chocolate, but in the mean time, I am loving the relationships with my family and my creator.
I'll get back to chocolate soon enough. . .
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Making Money - through the eyes of a 5 year old.
(It isn't that Journey and Jessie Lyric aren't amazing in their own right, it is just that I am with Story and Bridge ALL the time, so I catch them saying cute things more often. I guess it is about age as well.)
This morning I told Bridge to go upstairs and get dressed. He came down about 15 minutes later with his button down shirt and dress jacket on (no pants) that he wore Easter Sunday.
He came over to me, "kissed me goodbye," and said he was going to work. I, then, sat down to watch cartoons with Story. After about 45 minutes, I realized that I had not heard from him. So, I went in the kitchen to Bridge and Story's little craft area to see what he was up to.
He had scissors in his hand, a black marker on the floor, and shards of green paper everywhere. Stacked up next to him in a neat pile was 20 or so various sized rectangles that he had cut from green construction paper.
As I got closer, I saw that he had written the number five on one end, a big circle in the middle, and another number five on the other end of his green rectangles, which I now realized were "money."
I asked him what he was doing, and he looked up at me with his wide, charmed smile and said, "I'm at work making money, like dad." Then he spread out all of his money in front of me and said, "we have to go buy toys and cars now."
So, now I know what Bridge thinks his dad does at work all day, scissors and all. . . don't we wish it was really that easy to make money!!
This morning I told Bridge to go upstairs and get dressed. He came down about 15 minutes later with his button down shirt and dress jacket on (no pants) that he wore Easter Sunday.
He came over to me, "kissed me goodbye," and said he was going to work. I, then, sat down to watch cartoons with Story. After about 45 minutes, I realized that I had not heard from him. So, I went in the kitchen to Bridge and Story's little craft area to see what he was up to.
He had scissors in his hand, a black marker on the floor, and shards of green paper everywhere. Stacked up next to him in a neat pile was 20 or so various sized rectangles that he had cut from green construction paper.
As I got closer, I saw that he had written the number five on one end, a big circle in the middle, and another number five on the other end of his green rectangles, which I now realized were "money."
I asked him what he was doing, and he looked up at me with his wide, charmed smile and said, "I'm at work making money, like dad." Then he spread out all of his money in front of me and said, "we have to go buy toys and cars now."
So, now I know what Bridge thinks his dad does at work all day, scissors and all. . . don't we wish it was really that easy to make money!!
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Screaming Princess
Daddy: "Story, I don't want to hear you scream like that again."
Story: "Why?"
Daddy: "Because princesses don't scream."
Story: "Oh..."
(later that day)
Story: "Mommy, daddy said that princesses don't scream."
Mommy: "Well, daddy is right."
Story: "But, but mommy, there's . . . mommy? - there's a scream in my mouth."
Story: "Why?"
Daddy: "Because princesses don't scream."
Story: "Oh..."
(later that day)
Story: "Mommy, daddy said that princesses don't scream."
Mommy: "Well, daddy is right."
Story: "But, but mommy, there's . . . mommy? - there's a scream in my mouth."
It's a Girl!!!
We are happy to announce that our ultrasound revealed that we are having a girl (in late August).
Her name is Manhattan Faith. We feel blessed beyond words.
Please pray that the pregnancy will continue to go well. It would be nice to not have to be on bed rest for the last 6 weeks. :) (due to early contractions)
Her name is Manhattan Faith. We feel blessed beyond words.
Please pray that the pregnancy will continue to go well. It would be nice to not have to be on bed rest for the last 6 weeks. :) (due to early contractions)
So Much to Say; Not Much I Can Say!
I want you all to know that there have been some exciting developments in chocolate land for Jesse and I. I just am not at liberty to give details. That is probably why I haven't been able to blog lately. I just don't know what to say about it all!
Hopefully I will have some details that I can share very soon. I am hoping to make a big announcement by June 1st. God is in control though, so His timeline may be a little different. :)
Feel free to ask questions (as a comment to this post). I will tell you what I can.
Love you all,
Bethany
Hopefully I will have some details that I can share very soon. I am hoping to make a big announcement by June 1st. God is in control though, so His timeline may be a little different. :)
Feel free to ask questions (as a comment to this post). I will tell you what I can.
Love you all,
Bethany
Thursday, April 17, 2008
I'm Still Here
I can't believe it has been almost 2 weeks since I posted. Sorry!!!
I guess I have been consumed with getting the book all wrapped up with Thomas Nelson. It has been an overwhelming, yet completely enjoyable process. I am proud and incredibly humbled with the outcome - and I can't wait for you all to have a chance to see it!
It won't be in bookstores until October. I know. Too long! I think I will get my hands on some advance copies before then - I am not sure how all that works yet. The electronic version is beautiful, but I can't wait to hold a copy in my hands. I will probably sleep with it under my pillow for a couple of nights. LOL!
Anyway, I hope I will be more consistant in my postings. I have missed writing to you all. You help me keep my head on straight! :)
Chocolate love!
I guess I have been consumed with getting the book all wrapped up with Thomas Nelson. It has been an overwhelming, yet completely enjoyable process. I am proud and incredibly humbled with the outcome - and I can't wait for you all to have a chance to see it!
It won't be in bookstores until October. I know. Too long! I think I will get my hands on some advance copies before then - I am not sure how all that works yet. The electronic version is beautiful, but I can't wait to hold a copy in my hands. I will probably sleep with it under my pillow for a couple of nights. LOL!
Anyway, I hope I will be more consistant in my postings. I have missed writing to you all. You help me keep my head on straight! :)
Chocolate love!
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Bridge-ism
I decided that Bridge needs his own category on my blog. (Bridge-ism) His way of saying things is so darn cute. He doesn't have any conventional notions. It doesn't even dawn on him that he can look to those around him to learn by imitating. He is just Bridge; in his own little world.
So, today he crawls up in my lap, shivering - and he asks me, "Mom, can I borrow your warm?" So we sit there and cuddle for a minute and then he asks me, "where does your warm come from . . . Jesus?" "Do only moms and dads have warm - and they give it to their childrens?"
No, Bridge - I definitely get my warm from you!! :)
So, today he crawls up in my lap, shivering - and he asks me, "Mom, can I borrow your warm?" So we sit there and cuddle for a minute and then he asks me, "where does your warm come from . . . Jesus?" "Do only moms and dads have warm - and they give it to their childrens?"
No, Bridge - I definitely get my warm from you!! :)
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